Disengaging arc adjusting gear for an irrigation sprinkler with an adjustable reversing gear drive

ABSTRACT

A sprinkler can include a turbine, a nozzle, a gear drive and a reversing mechanism. The gear drive and the reversing mechanism rotatably couple the turbine and the nozzle. The gear drive can shift a direction of rotation of an output stage that is coupled to the reversing mechanism. The sprinkler can include at least one arc adjusting gear that moves and arc adjusting tab to contact a shift arm to cause the shifting mechanism to change direction. The arc adjusting gear can engage with the arc tab for adjusting the arc setting and disengage from the arc tab for normal operation.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims benefit under 35 U.S.C. 119(e) to U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 62/367,974, filed Jul. 28, 2016, theentire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein inits entirety. Any and all priority claims identified in the ApplicationData Sheet, or any corrections thereto, are hereby incorporated byreference under 37 CFR 1.57.

This application is related to U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/801,654, filed Jul. 16, 2015; to U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/925,578, filed Jun. 24, 2013, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,955,768; to U.S.patent application Ser. No. 12/710,265, filed Feb. 22, 2010, now U.S.Pat. No. 8,469,288; and to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/761,911filed Jun. 12, 2007, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,677,469. The entire contents ofthe above applications and patents are hereby incorporated by referenceand made a part of this specification.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present inventions relate to apparatus for irrigating turf andlandscaping, and more particularly, to rotor-type sprinklers having aturbine that rotates a nozzle through a gear train reduction.

BACKGROUND

In many parts of the United States, rainfall is insufficient and/or tooirregular to keep turf and landscaping green and therefore irrigationsystems are installed. Such systems typically include a plurality ofunderground pipes connected to sprinklers and valves, the latter beingcontrolled by an electronic irrigation controller. One of the mostpopular types of sprinklers is a pop-up rotor-type sprinkler. In thistype of sprinkler a tubular riser is normally retracted into an outercylindrical case by a coil spring. The case is buried in the ground andwhen pressurized water is fed to the sprinkler the riser extends. Aturbine and a gear train reduction are mounted in the riser for rotatinga nozzle turret at the top of the riser. The gear train reduction isoften encased in its own housing and is often referred to as a gear box.A reversing mechanism is also normally mounted in the riser along withan arc adjustment mechanism.

The gear drive of a rotor-type sprinkler can include a series ofstaggered gears and shafts wherein a small gear on the top of theturbine shaft drives a large gear on the lower end of an adjacent secondshaft. Another small gear on the top of the second shaft drives a largegear on the lower end of a third shaft, and so on. Alternately, the geardrive can comprise a planetary arrangement in which a central shaftcarries a sun gear that simultaneously drives several planetary gears onrotating circular partitions or stages that transmit reduced speedrotary motion to a succession of similar rotating stages. It is commonfor the planetary gears of the stages to engage corresponding ring gearsformed on the inner surface of the housing. See, for example, U.S. Pat.No. 5,662,545 granted to Zimmerman et al.

Two basic types of reversing mechanisms have been employed in commercialrotor-type sprinklers. In one design a reversing stator switches waterjets that alternately drive the turbine from opposite sides to reversethe rotation of the turbine and the gear drive. See for example, U.S.Pat. No. 4,625,914 granted to Sexton et al. The reversing stator designtypically employs a long metal shaft that can twist relative tocomponents rigidly mounted on the shaft and undesirably change thereverse point. Stopping the rotation of the stator and changingdirection of rotation via alternate water jets does not provide for goodrepeatable arc shift points. Users setting the arc of sprinklers thatemploy a reversing stator design do not get a tactile feel for a stop atthe set reverse points.

Another design for the reversing mechanism of a rotor-type sprinklerincludes four or six pinion gears meshed together and mounted betweenarc-shaped upper and lower frames that rock back and forth with the aidof Omega-shaped over-center springs. One of the inner pinion gears isdriven by the gear drive and the pinion gears on opposite ends of theframes alternately engage a bull gear assembly. See for example, U.S.Pat. Nos. 3,107,056; 4,568,024; 4,624,412; 4,718,605; and 4,948,052, allgranted to Edwin J. Hunter, the founder of Hunter Industries, Inc. Theentire disclosures of said patents are hereby incorporated by reference.

Non-reversing, full circle rotation sprinklers such as golf rotors andstream sprinklers have been commercialized that have incorporatedplanetary gear boxes. Rotor-type sprinklers have also beencommercialized that have combined planetary gear boxes and reversingmechanisms. More recently, adjustable arc part circle reversingsprinklers have been manufactured that have a reversing gear within theplanetary gearbox where the reversing gear shifts from a first positionthat causes at least the output section of the planetary gear drive torotate in a first direction or a second position that causes at leastthe output section of the planetary gear drive to rotate in a seconddirection.

SUMMARY

According some embodiments, a sprinkler can include a turbine, a nozzle,a gear drive and a reversing mechanism. The gear drive and reversingmechanism can rotatably couple the turbine and the nozzle. The geardrive and reversing mechanism can be coupled to shift a direction ofrotation of an output stage of the gear drive. In some embodiments, thegear drive can include a control shaft that is axially movable to shifta direction of rotation of an output stage that is coupled to thereversing mechanism. The reversing mechanism can include a shift membersecured to an upper end of the control shaft. The reversing mechanismcan further include a mechanism to move the control shaft from a firstposition to a second position. In some embodiments, the control shaftmay include a drive clutch. The gear drive may have two drive gears thatalternately engage with the drive clutch. In some embodiments, thesprinkler may further include an adjustable shift tab to cause thereversing mechanism to shift from the first position to the secondposition and an arc adjusting gear shaft. In some embodiments theadjusting gear shaft may disengage from the adjustable shift tab whenthe sprinkler is in a normal operational mode and operatively coupled tothe adjustable shift tab when a user is turning the arc adjusting gearshaft.

According to some embodiments, an irrigation sprinkler can include aturbine, a nozzle, a gear drive, and a reversing mechanism. Thereversing mechanism can be operatively connected to the gear drive androtatably coupling the turbine and the nozzle. The reversing mechanismcan include a shift arm and a first adjustment gear having an axis ofrotation. The irrigation sprinkler can include a first stop tabconnected to the first adjustment gear. In some embodiments, thesprinkler includes a second adjustment gear configured to selectivelymesh with and unmesh from the first adjustment gear. In someconfigurations, the irrigation sprinkler includes an adjustment shaftconnected to the second adjustment gear, the adjustment shaft having alongitudinal axis and a user interface. In some embodiments, theadjustment shaft is configured to transition between a first positionand a second position. In some embodiments, the longitudinal axis of theadjustment shaft is substantially parallel to the axis of rotation ofthe first adjustment gear in the first position. In some embodiments,the longitudinal axis of the adjustment shaft is not parallel to theaxis of rotation of the first adjustment gear in the second position.

In some embodiments, the irrigation sprinkler includes a biasing memberconfigured to bias the adjustment shaft to the second position.

In some embodiments, the biasing member is a spring.

In some embodiments, the second adjustment gear is unmeshed from thefirst adjustment gear when the adjustment shaft is in the secondposition.

In some embodiments, the second adjustment gear is meshed with the firstadjustment gear when the adjustment shaft is in the first position.

In some embodiments, the irrigation sprinkler includes an adjustmentclutch configured to engage with a portion of one or both of theadjustment shaft and the second adjustment gear.

In some embodiments, the adjustment shaft comprises an alignment surfaceand the adjustment clutch comprises an alignment surface. In someembodiments, interaction between the alignment surfaces of theadjustment shaft and adjustment clutch during rotation of the adjustmentshaft transitions the adjustment shaft from the second position to thefirst position.

In some embodiments, the adjustment shaft comprises a plurality ofadjustment surfaces. In some embodiments, the adjustment clutchcomprises a plurality of walls. In some embodiments, a first of theplurality of adjustment surfaces is configured to slide along a first ofthe plurality of walls when the adjustment shaft is rotated in thesecond position. In some embodiments, said sliding brings a second ofthe plurality of adjustment surfaces into contact with a second of theplurality of walls. In some embodiments, the adjustment shaft isconfigured to transmit rotational force to the adjustment clutch viacontact between the plurality of adjustment surface and the plurality ofwalls.

According to some variants, an irrigation sprinkler can include aturbine, a nozzle, a gear drive operatively connecting the turbine tothe nozzle, and a reversing mechanism coupling an output stage of thegear drive to the nozzle, the reversing mechanism including a firstadjustment gear. In some embodiments, the irrigation sprinkler includesan adjustment mechanism having a first end, a second end, and alongitudinal axis extending through the first and second ends. Theadjustment mechanism can include an adjusting gear at the first endconfigured to selectively engage with the first adjustment gear and auser interface at the second end. In some embodiments, the adjustmentmechanism is configured to transition between a first position and asecond position wherein the longitudinal axis of the adjustmentmechanism tilts as the adjustment mechanism transitions from the firstto the second position.

In some embodiments, the adjusting gear of the adjustment mechanism isengaged with the first adjustment gear when the adjustment mechanism isin the first position and is disengaged from the first adjustment gearwhen the adjustment mechanism is in the second position.

In some embodiments, the irrigation sprinkler includes an adjustmentclutch configured to tilt the adjustment mechanism when the adjustmentmechanism is rotated by a user.

In some embodiments, the irrigation sprinkler includes an adjustmentclutch configured to tilt the adjustment mechanism from the secondposition to the first position when the adjustment mechanism is rotatedby a user. In some embodiments, the adjusting gear of the adjustmentmechanism is engaged with the first adjustment gear when the adjustmentmechanism is in the first position and is disengaged from the firstadjustment gear when the adjustment mechanism is in the second position.

In some embodiments, the irrigation sprinkler includes a lockingmechanism connected to the first adjustment gear and configured toinhibit rotation of the first adjustment gear when the adjustmentmechanism is in the first position and to permit rotation of the firstadjustment gear when the adjustment mechanism is in the second positionin a second direction when a user rotates the adjustment mechanism.

In some embodiments, the irrigation sprinkler includes one or more teethconnected to the first adjustment gear and configured to engage withgear teeth of a ring gear, the ring gear fixed to a riser of theirrigation sprinkler. In some embodiments, the one or more teeth areconfigured to ratchet past teeth on the ring gear in a first directionor rotation of the first adjustment gear when a user rotates theadjustment mechanism.

According to some variants, an irrigation sprinkler includes a turbine,a nozzle, a gear drive, and a reversing mechanism. The reversingmechanism can be operatively connected to the gear drive and rotatablycoupling the turbine and the nozzle, the reversing mechanism including afirst adjustment gear having an axis of rotation. The irrigationsprinkler can include a second adjustment gear configured to selectivelymesh with and unmesh from the first adjustment gear. The secondadjustment gear can be configured to move away from the first adjustmentgear in a direction perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the firstadjustment gear when the second adjustment gear moves from being meshedwith the first adjustment gear to being unmeshed from the firstadjustment gear.

In some embodiments, the irrigation sprinkler includes an adjustmentclutch configured to move the second adjustment gear toward the firstadjustment gear when the second adjustment gear is rotated.

In some embodiments, the second adjustment gear is biased away from thefirst adjustment gear.

In some embodiments, the irrigation sprinkler includes an adjustmentclutch configured to rotate with the second adjustment gear only afterthe second adjustment gear is rotated a predetermined amount greaterthan zero degrees.

In some embodiments, the adjustment clutch is fixed with respect to thefirst adjustment gear in a direction perpendicular to the axis ofrotation of the first adjustment gear.

In some embodiments, the adjustment clutch is not in direct contact withthe second adjustment gear.

According to some variants, an irrigation sprinkler includes a turbine,a nozzle, a gear drive, and a reversing mechanism. The reversingmechanism can be operatively connected to the gear drive and canrotatably couple the turbine and the nozzle. The reversing mechanism caninclude a shift arm and a first adjustment gear having an axis ofrotation. The sprinkler can include a first stop tab connected to thefirst adjustment gear. In some embodiments, the sprinkler includes asecond adjustment gear configured to selectively mesh with and unmeshfrom the first adjustment gear. The sprinkler can include a userinterface cap configured to interface with a tool or with a hand of auser. In some embodiments, the user interface cap has a cam wallextending between a top cam wall end and a bottom cam wall end. The userinterface cap can include a driving wall connected to the cam wall. Insome embodiments, the sprinkler includes an adjustment shaft connectedto the second adjustment gear and positioned at least partially withinthe user interface cap. The adjustment shaft can include a longitudinalaxis and at least one protrusion extending from the adjustment shaft ina direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. In some embodiments,the cam wall is configured to drive the at least one protrusion in adirection parallel to the longitudinal axis of the adjustment shaft whenthe user interface cap is rotated. In some embodiments, the userinterface cap is configured to transition the second adjustment gearbetween a meshed position and an unmeshed position with respect to thefirst adjustment gear without requiring application of force onto ormovement of the user interface cap in a direction parallel to thelongitudinal axis of the adjustment shaft.

In some embodiments, the sprinkler includes a biasing member configuredto bias the adjustment shaft to the unmeshed position.

In some embodiments, the biasing member is a spring that surrounds atleast a portion of the adjustment shaft.

In some embodiments, the user interface cap comprises two cam walls andtwo driving walls, each of the two driving walls connected to both ofthe two cam walls.

In some embodiments, the driving walls are configured to preventrotation of the user interface cap with respect to the adjustment shaftupon contact between the at least one protrusion with the driving wall.

In some embodiments, the sprinkler includes an adjustment clutchconfigured to engage with a portion of one or both of the adjustmentshaft and the second adjustment gear.

In some embodiments, the adjustment shaft comprises at least oneexternal groove or rib. In some embodiments, the adjustment clutchincludes at least one internal rib or groove. In some embodiments, theexternal groove or rib of the adjustment shaft is configured to matewith the internal rib or groove of the adjustment clutch

In some embodiments, the adjustment clutch is rotationally locked withthe adjustment shaft and the adjustment shaft is configured to move in adirection parallel to the longitudinal axis of the adjustment shaft withrespect to the adjustment clutch.

In some embodiments, the adjustment clutch is configured to frictionallyengage with an internal wall of the irrigation sprinkler with a firstrotational coefficient of friction. In some embodiments, the userinterface portion is configured to frictionally engage with theadjustment shaft with a second rotational coefficient of friction whenthe at least one protrusion of the adjustment shaft is not in contactwith the drive wall. In some embodiments, the first coefficient offriction is greater than the second coefficient of friction.

According to some variants, an irrigation sprinkler includes a turbine,a nozzle, a gear drive, and a reversing mechanism. The reversingmechanism can be operatively connected to the gear drive and can berotatably coupling the turbine and the nozzle. In some embodiments, thereversing mechanism includes a shift arm and a first adjustment gearhaving an axis of rotation. The sprinkler can include a first stop tabconnected to the first adjustment gear. In some embodiments, thesprinkler includes a second adjustment gear configured to selectivelymesh with and unmesh from the first adjustment gear. The sprinkler caninclude a user interface cap configured to interface with a tool or witha hand of a user. In some embodiments, the sprinkler includes anadjustment shaft connected to the second adjustment gear and positionedat least partially within the user interface cap. The adjustment shaftcan have a longitudinal axis. In some embodiments, the user interfacecap is configured to drive the adjustment shaft in a direction parallelto the longitudinal axis of the adjustment shaft between an unmeshedposition and a meshed position with respect to the second adjustmentgear. In some embodiments, the adjustment shaft is configured to movewith respect to the user interface cap in a direction parallel to thelongitudinal axis of the adjustment shaft as the adjustment shafttransitions between the meshed and unmeshed positions.

In some embodiments, the sprinkler includes a bearing configured to fixthe user interface cap with respect to the nozzle in a directionparallel to the longitudinal axis of the adjustment shaft.

In some embodiments, the sprinkler includes a spring surrounding atleast a portion of the adjustment shaft and configured to bias theadjustment shaft toward the user interface cap.

In some embodiments, the adjustment shaft is configured to remain in theunmeshed position in the absence of user or tool interaction with theuser interface cap.

According to some variants, an irrigation sprinkler includes a turbine,a nozzle, a gear drive, and a reversing mechanism. The reversingmechanism can be operatively connected to the gear drive and can berotatably coupling the turbine and the nozzle. The reversing mechanismcan include a shift arm and a first adjustment gear having an axis ofrotation. In some embodiments, the sprinkler includes a first stop tabconnected to the first adjustment gear. The sprinkler can include asecond adjustment gear configured to selectively mesh with and unmeshfrom the first adjustment gear. In some embodiments, the sprinklerincludes a user interface cap configured to interface with a tool orwith a hand of a user. The sprinkler can include an adjustment shaftconnected to the second adjustment gear and positioned at leastpartially within the user interface cap. The adjustment shaft can have alongitudinal axis. In some embodiments, the user interface cap is fixedin position in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of theadjustment shaft. In some embodiments, the user interface cap isconfigured to move the adjustment shaft in a direction parallel to thelongitudinal axis of the adjustment shaft in response to rotationalforce upon the user interface cap in a direction of rotation around thelongitudinal axis of the adjustment shaft.

In some embodiments, the sprinkler includes a nozzle turret, wherein atleast a portion of the user interface cap extends through a downstreamend of the nozzle turret.

In some embodiments, the user interface cap includes a cam surface andthe adjustment shaft includes a cam follower, wherein the cam surface isconfigured to drive the cam follower in a direction parallel to thelongitudinal axis of the adjustment shaft in response to rotation of theuser interface cap.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of an irrigation sprinkler.

FIG. 2 is a vertical view of a rotor-type sprinkler incorporating anembodiment of the present inventions.

FIG. 2A is a vertical sectional view of the rotor-type sprinkler of FIG.2 taken along the cut plane A-A.

FIG. 2B is an exploded sectional view of the riser assembly of thesprinkler of FIG. 2.

FIG. 3 is a sectioned view of the reversing planetary gear drive andreversing mechanism of the sprinkler of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a sectioned view of the riser of the sprinkler of FIG. 2

FIG. 5 is a view of the adjusting components with the arc adjusting geardisengaged and the arc set for a minimum arc coverage.

FIG. 6 is a view of the adjusting components with the arc adjusting geardisengaged and the arc set for a 360 degree arc coverage.

FIG. 7 illustrates the interface between the adjustable arc tab and thearc adjusting ring.

FIG. 8 is an exploded view of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of the adjusting section of FIG. 5 with thearc adjusting gear engaged.

FIG. 10 is an enlarged view of the adjusting section of FIG. 5 with thearc adjusting gear disengaged.

FIG. 11 is a view of the adjusting components with the arc adjustinggear disengaged and the arc set at a first arc position.

FIG. 12 is a view of the adjusting components with the arc adjustinggear engaged and the arc set at a first arc position.

FIG. 13 illustrates the adjusting shaft assembly.

FIG. 14 is a section view of the adjusting shaft assembly taken alongthe cut plane B-B of FIG. 13 with the adjusting gear in the disengagedposition.

FIG. 15 is a section view of the adjusting shaft assembly taken alongthe cut plane B-B of FIG. 13 with the adjusting gear in the engagedposition.

FIG. 16 is a section view of the adjusting shaft assembly taken alongthe cut plane B-B of FIG. 13 with the adjusting gear in the disengagedposition.

FIG. 17 is a section view of the adjusting shaft assembly taken alongthe cut plane B-B of FIG. 13 with the adjusting gear in the disengagedposition.

FIG. 18 is a section view of the adjusting shaft assembly taken alongthe cut plane B-B of FIG. 13 with the adjusting gear in the disengagedposition.

FIG. 19 is a section view of the adjusting shaft assembly taken alongthe cut plane B-B of FIG. 13 with the adjusting gear in a first steptransitioning from the disengaged position to the engaged position.

FIG. 20 is a section view of the adjusting shaft assembly taken alongthe cut plane B-B of FIG. 13 with the adjusting gear in a second steptransitioning from the disengaged position to the engaged position.

FIG. 21 is a section view of the adjusting shaft assembly taken alongthe cut plane B-B of FIG. 13 with the adjusting gear in the engagedposition.

FIG. 22 is another embodiment of a nozzle housing that has an axiallymoving disengaging arc adjustment shaft.

FIG. 23 is a vertical sectional view of the nozzle housing of FIG. 22taken along the cut plane 23-23 of FIG. 22, with the arc adjusting shaftin a retracted, disengaged, unmeshed position.

FIG. 24 is a vertical sectional view of the nozzle housing of FIG. 22taken along the cut plane 23-23 of FIG. 22, with the arc adjusting shaftin an extended, engaged, meshed position

FIG. 25 is an exploded view of FIG. 23.

FIG. 26 is an exploded view of the nozzle housing of FIG. 22.

FIG. 27 is a lower perspective view of the user adjusting componentillustrating the internal cam surface.

FIG. 28 is a perspective view of the arc adjusting shaft and gear.

FIG. 29 is a sectional view of a nozzle turret and adjustment shaftassembly of FIG. 22 wherein arc adjusting gear and the ring gear areunmeshed.

FIG. 30 is a sectional view of a nozzle turret and adjustment shaftassembly of FIG. 22 wherein arc adjusting gear and the ring gear aremeshed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Irrigation sprinklers can be used to distribute water to turf and otherlandscaping. Types of irrigations sprinklers include pop-up, rotor-type,impact, spray and/or rotary-stream sprinklers. In some applications,such as that shown in FIG. 1, an irrigation system 2 can includemultiple irrigation sprinklers 1 used to water a targeted area. One ormore controllers (e.g., wireless and/or wired controllers) can be usedto control the operation of multiple irrigation sprinklers. For example,one or more controllers can control when each of the sprinklers of theirrigation system transitions between an irrigating (e.g., ON)configuration and a non-irrigating (e.g., OFF) configuration. In someembodiments, the one or more controllers control the amount of waterdistributed by the sprinklers. The water source 9 for the irrigationsystem can be provided by a single water source, such as a well, a bodyof water, or water utility system. In some applications, multiple watersources are used.

As schematically illustrated in FIG. 1, an irrigation sprinkler 1 caninclude an outer case 3. The outer case 3 can have a generallycylindrical shape or some other appropriate shape. A riser 5 can bepositioned at least partially within the outer case 3. In someembodiments, such as pop-up sprinklers, the riser 5 is biased to acontracted or non-irrigating position within the outer case 3. The riser5 may be biased to the contracted position by gravity and/or biasingstructures such as springs. In some embodiments, the riser 5 transitionsto an extended or irrigating position when pressure (e.g., waterpressure) within the outer case 3 is high enough to overcome a biasingforce on the riser 5. In some embodiments (e.g., non-pop-up sprinklers)the riser 5 is fixed in the extended position.

One or more mechanical components 7 can be positioned within the riser 5and/or within the outer case 3. For example, the riser 5 can include anoutlet 7 a (e.g., a nozzle or outlet port). In some embodiments, thesprinkler 1 includes a plurality of outlets. The outlet 7 a can directwater from the irrigation sprinkler 1 when the sprinkler 1 is ON. Insome embodiments, the outlet 7 a is connected to an outlet housing(e.g., a nozzle turret). The outlet housing and/or outlet 7 a can berotatable or otherwise moveable with respect to the riser 5 and/or outercase 3.

In some embodiments, the irrigation sprinkler 1 includes a turbine 7 d.The turbine 7 d can rotate in response to water entering an inlet end ofthe riser 5 and/or the outer case 3. The turbine 7 d can be configuredto rotate the outlet 7 a. In some embodiments, a gear train reduction 7c is connected to the turbine 7 d via an input shaft or otherwise. Thegear train reduction 7 c can transfer torque from the rotating turbine 7d to the outlet housing and/or outlet 7 a via an output shaft, outputclutch, or other output structure.

The sprinkler 1 can include a reversing mechanism 7 b. The reversingmechanism 7 b can be positioned within the riser 5 and/or within theouter case 3. In some embodiments, the reversing mechanism 7 b isconnected to the gear train reduction 7 c and/or to the outlet 7 a. Thereversing mechanism 7 b can be used to reverse the direction of rotationof the outlet 7 a. In some embodiments, the reversing mechanism 7 breverses the direction of rotation of the outlet 7 a without changingthe direction of rotation of the turbine 7 d. In some embodiments, thereversing mechanism 7 b reverses the direction of rotation of the outlet7 a by reversing the direction of rotation of the turbine 7 d.

In some embodiments, the reversing mechanism 7 b reverses the directionof rotation of the outlet 7 a via manual input. For example, a tool maybe used to adjust the reversing mechanism 7 b to reverse the directionof rotation of the outlet 7 a. In some embodiments, the reversingmechanism 7 b reverses the direction of rotation of the outlet 7 aautomatically via selected arc limiters. In some cases, at least one ofthe selected arc limiters can be adjusted to a desired position. In somecases, the user turns and adjusting gear shaft causing it to engage withthe adjustable arc limiter and move the arc limiter to a desiredposition. In some cases the adjusting gear shaft automaticallydisengages from the arc limiter when it is not being adjusted

Water may be provided to the sprinkler 1 via one or more water sources9. The water source 9 may be fluidly connected to the outer case 3and/or to the riser 5. In some embodiments, fluid communication betweenthe water source 9 and the sprinkler 1 is controlled by one or morecontrollers, valves, or other apparatuses.

According to the present disclosure, a rotor-type sprinkler can includean outer case with a top portion and a bottom portion. A water inlet canbe located in the bottom portion to permit ingress of water into therotor-type sprinkler. The rotor-type sprinkler can include a turbineconfigured to rotate in response to the ingress of water. A nozzle ofthe rotor-type sprinkler can be configured to rotate in response torotation of the turbine. A gear drive can be positioned within the outercase to provide gear reduction between the turbine and the nozzle. Insome embodiments, the gear drive is a reversing gear drive configured toselectively reverse the rotation of the nozzle. The rotor-type sprinklercan also include a reversing mechanism configured to reverse therotation of an output stage of the gear drive. The reversing mechanismcan be located externally of the reversing gear drive.

In some embodiments, a reversing mechanism can be operatively connectedto one or more gears in a reversing gear drive. The reversing mechanismcan transition to engage the one or more gears between a plurality ofoperating positions/configurations to affect, for example, therotational direction of the nozzle. The reversing gear drive can haveany number of different configurations, a few examples of which aredescribed below. For example, the reversing gear drive can be areversing planetary gear drive 12 (FIG. 2A) or a reversing spur geardrive—(not illustrated). Other drive systems can also be used.

As illustrated and described below, the sprinkler 10 can include anadjustment gear to allow a user to set the rotational arc setting forthe sprinkler 10.

Referring to FIG. 2A, in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinventions a rotor-type sprinkler 10 incorporates a reversing planetarygear drive 12 (FIG. 2A) that rotates or oscillates a nozzle 14 betweenpre-set arc limits. Some or all of the components of the sprinkler 10can be generally made of injection molded plastic. The sprinkler 10includes an outer case 18 and a cap 20 that confines a generally tubularriser 22 (FIGS. 2, 2A and 2B). A coil spring 24 normally holds the riser22 in a retracted position within the outer case 18. The nozzle 14 iscarried inside a cylindrical nozzle turret 26 rotatably mounted to theupper end of the riser 22. The coil spring 24 is compressible to allowthe riser 22 and nozzle turret 26 to telescope through the cap 20 fromtheir retracted positions to their extended positions when pressurizedwater is introduced into the female threaded inlet at the lower end ofthe outer case 18.

FIGS. 2A-3 illustrate further details of the riser 22, nozzle turret 26and reversing planetary gear drive 12. A dirty water screen 16 ispositioned near the bottom of the riser 22 to keep debris that mayaffect the operation of the sprinkler from entering the riser. A stator17 directs water into and around a turbine 28. The turbine 28 is securedto the lower end of a vertically oriented drive input pinion shaft 30.The pinion shaft 30 extends through the lower cap 32 of a cylindricalgear box housing 34 of the reversing planetary gear drive 12. A turbinesun gear 36 can be secured to the upper end of the pinion shaft 30. Theturbine sun gear 36 meshes with a first stage of planetary gears 38 thatcause a first stage carrier 52A to rotate. Another sun gear 38 is formedon the upper side of the first stage carrier 52A and drives the secondstage planetary gears 44 and the second stage carrier 52B of thereversing planetary gear drive 12. The stage carrier 52 b functions as adrive housing of a one way drive coupling 45. Thus the turbine 28 iscoupled to an input stage of the planetary gear drive 12.

Referring to FIG. 3, the reversing planetary gear drive 12 has acentrally located main control shaft 46. The lower end of the controlshaft 46 is rigidly and co-axially coupled to a shifting drive clutch 48which is vertically reciprocated by axial movement of the control shaft46 between a raised state illustrated and a lowered state (notillustrated). The interior wall of the cylindrical gear box housing 34is formed with two axially displaced ring gears 50 and 51. Each of thering gears 50 and 51 comprises a plurality of circumferentially spaced,vertically extending, radially inwardly projecting teeth that areengaged by the various planet gears of the reversing planetary geardrive 12. The lower ring gear 50 has a larger diameter and more teeththan the upper ring gear 51. Together the ring gears 50 and 51 form abi-level ring gear.

Referring still to FIG. 3 the reversing planetary gear drive 12 includesa third disc-shaped stage carrier 52 c, a fourth disc-shaped stagecarrier 52 d, a fifth disc-shaped stage carrier 52 e, and/or a sixthdisc-shaped stage carrier 52 f. The stage carrier 52F functions as anoutput stage of the planetary gear drive 12. The carriers 52 a and 52 bare positioned between the turbine 28 and the one way drive coupling 45.The carriers 52 c, 52 d, 52 e and 52 f rotate around the control shaft46. A central spline opening 43 in the one way drive coupling 45 isdrivingly coupled to a spline-shaped extension 47 of the shifting driveclutch 48 to allow for axial movement of the shifting drive clutch 48relative to the upper gear 44. Thus the planetary gears 44 coupled tothe second stage carrier 52 b continuously rotates the drive coupling45, shifting drive clutch 48 and the control shaft 46 during verticalaxial reciprocating movement of the control shaft 46 and the shiftingdrive clutch 48.

When the shifting drive clutch 48 is in its raised state (FIGS. 3 and 4the clutch dogs thereof engage and mesh with complementary internalclutch teeth 62 (FIG. 3) of the upper drive gear 60. When the shiftingdrive clutch 48 is in its lowered state (not illustrated), the clutchdogs thereof engage and mesh with internal clutch teeth 68 (FIG. 3) ofthe lower drive gear 66. The upper drive gear 60 meshes with the upperring gear 51 formed on the interior wall of the gear box housing 34 thruthe planet gear 54 (not illustrated). The lower drive gear 66 engagesthe transfer gear 56 which engages another planet gear 58, which in turnengages the lower ring gear 50. The direction of rotation of the discshaped gear carrier 52 c changes from a first direction when theshifting clutch 48 is engaged with the upper drive gear 60 to a seconddirection when the shifting clutch 48 is engaged with the lower drivegear 66. The disc shaped carrier 52 d is directly coupled to the discshaped carrier 52 c. Thus the direction of rotation subsequently carriedthrough the remaining stages of the reversing planetary gear drive 12 isreversed by up and down movement of the control shaft 46 and theshifting drive clutch 48.

The shifting drive clutch 48 can have a neutral position betweenengagement with the upper drive gear 60 and with the lower drive gear 66in which it is not engaged with either of these two gears. This canreduce the likelihood that the shifting drive clutch 48 will stripeither or both of the clutch teeth 62 and 68. The shifting drive clutch48 is configured to rotate as a result of the upstream rotating gearsthat are driven by the turbine 28. If the clutch dogs of the shiftingdrive clutch 48 do not immediately engage with the gears 60 and 68during shifting, the clutch teeth 49 are configured to align within onetooth of rotation. In some embodiments, the shifting drive clutch 48 isbiased both upwardly and downwardly from this neutral position (e.g., byan over-center spring mechanism inside the reversing mechanism 13). Thiscan ensure that the planetary gear drive 12 will be in one of twodriving states, either rotating the nozzle 14 clockwise orcounter-clockwise.

The level of rotational torque on the planet gears 54 and 58 can befairly low. In some embodiments, the meshing of the shifting driveclutch 48 with the drive gear 60 and the lower drive gear 66 is verysmooth. The smooth shifting transition can be influenced by the positionof the shifting drive clutch 48 in the power transmission path of theplanetary gear drive 12. The rotational speed of the turbine 28 is veryhigh. If the shifting drive clutch 48 is placed too close to the turbine28 in the power transmission path of the gear drive 12, the rotationalspeed of the shifting drive clutch 48 may be too fast, and shiftingdirection may be difficult as the clutch teeth 62 and 68 may tend toskip past the clutch dogs 49 instead of meshing smoothly. Likewise, thefinal output stage of the reversing planetary gear drive 12 generatessubstantial rotational torque. If the shifting drive clutch 48 is placedtoo close to the output stage (e.g., carrier 52 f) in the powertransmission path of the gear drive 12, the excessive torque may make itdifficult for the clutch dogs 49 to slip axially across the faces ofclutch teeth 62 and 68 and shifting may be difficult.

The reversing planetary gear drive 12 can include additional sun gearsand planet gears which need not be described in detail as they will bereadily understood by those skilled in the art of sprinkler design inview of FIGS. 2 and 3. The other planet gears also engage the ring gears50 and 51 and rotate about corresponding fixed cylindrical posts thatextend vertically from their associated disc-shaped carriers 52 a, 52 b,52 c, 52 d, 52 e and 52 f. Each non-shifting sun gear can be secured to,and/or integrally formed with, one of the carriers 52 e and 52 f. Theuppermost carrier 52 f can have an upwardly projecting central section59 (FIG. 3) that is coupled to the underside of the reversing mechanism13 in order to rotate the same. The reversing mechanism 13 in turnsupports and rotates a drive coupling 21. The drive coupling 21 isfurther supported by an outer bushing 23 which supports a lower thrustbearing 25, an adjustable shift tab carrier 27, and an upper thrustwasher 29. The drive coupling 21 rotationally couples the reversingmechanism 13 to the nozzle turret 26. With this arrangement of gears thehigh RPM of the turbine 28 is successively reduced so that the finaloutput RPM of the gear drive 12 is relatively low, and the output torqueat the central section 59 of the uppermost carrier 52 f is relativelyhigh. For example, the turbine 28 may rotate at eight hundred RPM andthe central section 59 of the uppermost carrier 52 f may rotate at anRPM of less than twenty.

In some embodiments, the sprinkler 10 uses the planetary gear drive 12and the additional reversing mechanism 13 to change the direction ofrotation of the nozzle turret 26. The overall reversing mechanism of thesprinkler 10 can have two portions, namely, the components of thereversing mechanism 13 that are located external of the gear box housing34, and another portion that is contained within the planetary geardrive 12 that includes the shifting drive clutch 48, sun gear 66, idlergear 56, and/or sun gear 60. An advantage of including at least aportion of the overall reversing mechanism in the planetary gear drive12 is that the shifting can be done in a low torque region of theplanetary gear drive 12 where damage and wear to gears is much lesslikely to occur. This can reduce or eliminate the need to useconventional arc-shaped shifting frames with delicate pinion gears thatengage a bull gear assembly and bear large loads. The planetary geardrive 12 can deliver relatively high rotational torque to the nozzleturret 26 in a manner that is useful in rotor-type sprinklers used towater large areas such as golf courses, parks, playing fields or anyother irrigated area. Such high torque may prematurely wear out and/orstrip conventional pivoting gear train reversing mechanisms. Thedifferent gear tooth profiles of the ring gears 50 and 51 and the upperand lower stages of the shifting drive clutch 48 desirably result in thenozzle 14 rotating in both the clockwise and counter-clockwisedirections at a substantially uniform predetermined speed of rotation.

High output torque is important for sprinklers. Sprinklers of this typedischarge water from the sprinkler while the sprinkler is rotating.Discharging the water creates substantial radial forces on the nozzleturret 26 that results in significant drag and resistance to rotation ofthis component of a rotor—type sprinkler. The gear drives utilized inthis type of sprinkler must overcome this resistance.

The fast spinning turbine 28 can slowly rotate the nozzle turret 26through the reversing planetary gear drive 12 and the additionalreversing mechanism 13. The additional reversing mechanism 13 includescams and components that lift and drop the output shaft 46. An adjustinggear shaft 110, ring gear 112, adjusting gear 104, and an adjusting arctab 116 cooperate with the reversing mechanism 13 to permit useradjustment of the size of the arc of oscillation of the nozzle 14. Toadjust the arc of coverage, the installer can turn the adjusting gearshaft 110 with a tool (not shown) providing an adjustment of the arc ofcoverage.

The reversing mechanism 13 includes an upper shift housing 72 (FIG. 3)and a lower shift housing 74 that mate to form a complete housing with ahollow interior that encloses most of the other components of thereversing mechanism 13 hereafter described. The reversing mechanism 13further includes a shift member 76′ that is rigidly secured to the upperend of the control shaft 46. The shift member 76 can be semi-sphericaland/or barrel-shaped. In some cases, the shift member 76 is integrallyformed with the control shaft 46. The reversing mechanism 13 can includea pivotable shift fork 78 (FIG. 3) with first and second spaced apartcams 80, 82. The first cam 80 can be configured with a sloped surface(not shown) that raises the control shaft 46 when the shift fork 78 ispivoted to engage the first cam with the shift member 76. The second cam82 can be configured with an oppositely sloped surface that lowers thecontrol shaft 46 when the shift fork 78 is pivoted to engage the secondcam with the shift member 76.

The reversing mechanism 13 further includes a shift crank 84 (FIG. 3)that pivotally supports the shift fork 78 inside the joined upper andlower shift housings 72 and 74. An over-center coil spring 94 (FIG. 3)biases the shift fork 78 so that either the first cam 80 or the secondcam 82 is engaged with the shift member 76. The over-center spring 94has a first end connected to a first over center movable pivot 86coupled to the lower shift housing 74 and a second end connected to acentral segment of the shift crank 84. Additional details regarding thereversing mechanism 13 are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 8,955,768 of Clarket el. granted Feb. 17, 2015, entitled REVERSING MECHANISM FOR ANIRRIGATION SPRINKLER WITH REVERSING GEAR DRIVE, the entire disclosure ofINCLUDING SLIDING CLUTCH AND DRIVEN BEVEL GEARS, the entire disclosureof which is hereby incorporated by reference.

FIG. 4 illustrates an arc adjustment assembly of an embodiment of thepresent application. As illustrated, the arc adjustment assembly caninclude an adjustment shaft 110. The adjustment shaft 110 can beconfigured to interact with one or more components of the arc adjustmentassembly to change the arc over which the nozzle deposits water duringoperation of the sprinkler. For example, the adjustment shaft 110 can beconfigured to interact with an adjustable arc tab assembly 120. In somecases, the adjustment shaft 110 includes a gear configured to interactwith another gear (e.g., a gear of the adjustable arc tab assembly 120)in the nozzle turret 26 or elsewhere in the sprinkler to adjust the arcof the sprinkler.

The adjustment shaft 110 can extend through a top portion of the nozzleturret 26 (e.g., in the frame of reference 9 of FIG. 4) and a nozzlebase 102 (FIG. 2B). The adjustment shaft can include an adjustment gear104. In some embodiments, the adjustment shaft 100 includes a userinterface portion 114. The user interface portion 114 can be positionedon an end of the adjustment shaft 110 opposite the adjustment gear 104.A user of the arc adjustment assembly may rotate and/or tilt theadjustment shaft 110 via rotation of the user interface portion 114(e.g., via use of a tool, hands, or otherwise). A shaft portion 100 canextend along the length of the adjustment shaft 110 between the userinterface portion 114 and adjustment gear 104.

The adjustment gear 104 can be configured to mesh (e.g., FIG. 4) andunmesh (e.g., FIG. 5) with a ring gear 112. The ring gear 112 can beconnected to an adjustable arc tab 116. For example, one or both of thering gear 112 and adjustable arc tab 116 can be connected to or integralwith an adjustable arc tab assembly 120. The adjustment gear 104 can beconfigured to rotate the ring gear 112 in a manner substantially similarto that described in U.S. Pat. No. 8,955,768. In some embodiments, asdescribed below with respect to FIGS. 7 and 8, the ring gear 112 can beconfigured to rotationally lock with the riser 22 when not beingadjusted by the adjustment gear 104.

The adjustable arc tab 116 can be rotated with respect to the riser 22to adjust the arc of coverage of the sprinkler. For example, acircumferential distance between the adjustable tab 116 and a fixed tab117 of the sprinkler can be adjusted to accommodate small angles (e.g.,FIG. 5, which illustrates a gap between the tabs 116, 117) and/or 360degree continual rotation (e.g., FIG. 6, which illustrates theadjustable tab 116 positioned behind the fixed tab 117). The reversingmechanism can include a shift arm 73 (FIG. 3) configured to abut thetabs 116, 117 during rotation of the nozzle turret 26 and to switchdirection of rotation of the nozzle turret in a manner similar to or thesame as that described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,861,949 of Crooks granted onJan. 4, 2001 entitled Adjustable arc rotor-type sprinkler withselectable uni-directional full circle nozzle rotation, the entiredisclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

As illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8, the adjustable arc tab 116 can includestructures configured to lock the adjustable arc tab 116 in place withrespect to the fixed arc tab 117 when the user is not adjusting theadjustable arc tab 116. For example, the adjustable arc tab can includeone or more teeth 128 or recesses configured to engage with teeth orrecesses 130 on the ring 132 to which the fixed arc tab 117 isconnected. The ring 132 can be rotational fixed or otherwise integratedinto some component of the riser assembly to inhibit or prevent rotationof the ring 132 with respect to the riser 22. Engagement between theteeth/recesses 128 of the adjustable arc tab 116 and the teeth/recessesof the ring 132 can inhibit or prevent inadvertent rotation of theadjustable tab 116 during operation of the sprinkler. The adjustable arctab 116 can be configured to flex when a user uses the adjustment shaft110 to adjust the position of the adjustable arc tab 116. Flexure of theadjustable arc tab 116 can permit ratcheting of the teeth 128 withrespect to the ring 132 to change the circumferential distance betweenthe tabs 116, 117.

During operation of the sprinkler, it is desirable that the adjustmentgear 104 disengage (e.g., unmesh) from the ring gear 112 when the useris not adjusting the arc of the sprinkler. Such disengagement isdesirable or necessary to reduce the risk that the adjustable arc tab116 moves with respect to the riser 22 when the adjustment shaft 110travels with the rotation of the nozzle turret 26. Such movement canchange the arc of coverage of the sprinkler in an unpredictable and/orundesirable manner.

As illustrated in FIGS. 9-12, adjustment shaft 110 of the presentapplication can be configured to disengage the adjustment gear 104 fromthe ring gear 112 by moving the adjustment gear 104 away from the ringgear 112. For example, the adjustment shaft 110 can be configured tomove the adjustment gear 104 in a direction that is non-parallel to anaxis of rotation of the ring gear 112. In some embodiments, theadjustment gear 104 is biased away from the ring gear 112 in a directionnon-parallel to the axis of rotation of the ring gear 112. For example,a biasing member 122 (e.g., a spring, a wire, or some other flexible orresilient structure) can contact a portion of the adjustment shaft 110to push the adjustment gear 104 away from the ring gear 112.

The adjustment gear 104 gear can be partially or completely unmeshedfrom the ring gear 112 when in the disengaged position (FIGS. 10 and11). In some such cases, the adjustment shaft 110 is tilted with respectto (e.g., non-parallel to) the ring gear 112 when the adjustment gear104 is in the disengaged position. In some embodiments, the user canmove the adjustment gear 104 toward ring gear 112 to the engagedposition (FIGS. 9 and 12) in a manner which overcomes the biasing forceof the biasing member 122. For example, user manipulation of theadjustment shaft 110 can tilt the adjustment shaft 110 into a parallelor substantially parallel alignment with the axis of rotation of thering gear 112.

In some embodiments, the arc adjustment assembly of the presentapplication includes an adjustment clutch 124. The adjustment clutch 124can be configured to transition the adjustment gear 104 to the engagedposition when a user rotates the adjustment shaft 110. In someembodiments, the adjustment clutch 124 is configured to align theadjustment shaft 110 with the axis of rotation of the ring gear 112 whenthe user rotates the adjustment shaft 110. In some cases, the adjustmentclutch 124 rotates with the adjusting shaft 110 when the adjustmentshaft 110 has transitioned to the engaged position.

The adjustment clutch 124 can be mounted in the nozzle turret 26 orelsewhere within the sprinkler. In some embodiments, the adjustmentclutch 124 surrounds a portion of the adjustment shaft 110. Theadjustment clutch 124 can be configured to rotate within the nozzleturret 26. In some embodiments, as illustrated in FIG. 13, an O-ring 126or other high friction device is mounted on the adjustment clutch 124 orotherwise mounted in the nozzle turret 26. The O-ring 126 can increasethe friction between the adjustment clutch 124 and some portion of thenozzle turret 26. The increased friction can increase the alignmentforce of the adjustment shaft 110. In some cases, an axis of rotation ofthe adjustment clutch 124 is fixed with respect to the axis of rotationof one or both of the nozzle turret 26 and the ring gear 112.

As illustrated in FIGS. 13 through 15, the adjustment shaft 110 caninclude an alignment portion 134. The alignment portion 134 can bepositioned along the length of the adjustment shaft 110 between the gear104 and the user interface portion 114. In some embodiments, thealignment portion 134 includes a plurality of ribs 136. For example, thealignment portion 136 can include 3 ribs 136 a, 136 b, 136 c. Othernumbers of ribs are possible (e.g., four ribs, five ribs, eight ribs,etc.).

The alignment clutch 124 may include an alignment aperture 138configured to accommodate the alignment portion 134 of the adjustmentshaft 110. The alignment aperture 138 can include a plurality ofrecesses configured to receive the individual ribs 136. In someembodiments, the alignment aperture 138 is sized and shaped such thatthe maximum diameter circle that can be drawn in the aperture withoutextending through solid material of the clutch 134 is smaller than thesmallest diameter circle that can be drawn around the alignment portion134 of the alignment shaft 110. In some embodiments, the ribs 136 arenot permitted to pass out from the respective recesses in which they arereceived when the alignment shaft 110 is rotated.

In some embodiments, interaction between the ribs 136 of the alignmentportion 134 and walls 140 of the alignment aperture 138 transition thealignment gear 104 from the disengaged configuration to the engagedconfiguration. For example, the interaction between the ribs 136 of thealignment portion 134 and walls 140 of the alignment aperture 138 cantilt the alignment shaft 110 from non-parallel alignment with respect tothe axis of rotation of the ring gear 112 toward or to a parallelalignment of the alignment shaft with the axis of rotation of the ringgear 112.

As illustrated in FIG. 14, one or more of the ribs 136 a, 136 b, 136 ccan be out of contact with one or more of the walls 140 a, 140 b, 140 cwhen the alignment portion 134 of the alignment shaft 110 is misalignedwith the alignment clutch 124 (e.g., when the alignment gear 104 is inthe disengaged position). As illustrated in FIG. 15, each of the ribs136 a, 136 b, 136 c can be in contact with a wall 140 a, 140 b, 140 c ofthe alignment aperture 138 when the alignment shaft 110 is aligned withthe alignment clutch 134. Contact between the ribs 136 and the walls 140can transfer torque from the alignment shaft 110 to the alignment clutch134. Such torque transfer can cause the alignment clutch 134 to rotatewith rotation of the alignment shaft 110. In some embodiments, rotationof the alignment clutch 134 permits rotation of the alignment shaft 110.For example, the rotation of the alignment clutch can permit thealignment shaft 110 to rotate beyond bringing the ribs 136 into contactwith the walls 140 of the alignment aperture. It should be appreciatedthat FIGS. 14 and 15 illustrate an arrangement in which the alignmentclutch 124 and alignment shaft 110 are configured to rotate in acounter-clockwise direction with respect to the orientation to the page.

As illustrated, a minimum distance D1 between the gear 104 and thecenterline of the clutch 124 when the gear 104 is in the disengagedposition (FIG. 14) is less than the minimum distance D2 between the gear104 and the centerline of the clutch 124 when the gear is in the engagedposition (FIG. 15). These changes in distance can be attributed totilting of the alignment shaft 110 with respect to the clutch 124 and/orwith respect to the rotational axis of the ring gear 112 (e.g., underthe biasing force of the biasing member 122). As illustrated in FIGS.16-18 the minimum distance D1 between the gear 104 and the centerline ofthe clutch 124 when the gear 104 is in the disengaged position can besubstantially the same, independent of the initial rotationalorientation of the alignment shaft 110 with respect to the clutch 134when the biasing member 122 biases the alignment shaft 110 to thedisengaged position.

FIGS. 19-21 illustrate an example of the alignment gear 104transitioning from the disengaged position to the engaged position. Asillustrated in FIG. 19, the alignment portion 134 can begin in aposition (e.g., the disengaged position of the gear 104) wherein onlyone of the ribs (e.g., rib 136 c) is in contact with a wall (e.g., wall140 c) of the alignment aperture 138. As the alignment shaft 110 isrotated in the counter-clockwise direction with respect to the page ofFIGS. 19-21, the rib 136 c slides along the wall 140 c of the alignmentaperture until another rib (e.g. 136 a) contacts another wall (e.g., 140a) of the alignment aperture 138. In this transitional position (FIG.20), the minimum distance DTv is less than the distance D2 of the fullyengaged gear 104 and more than the minimum distance D1 when the gear 104is fully disengaged. At this point, both ribs 136 c, 136 a continue toslide along their respective walls 140 c, 140 a until the last rib(e.g., 136 b) contacts the last untouched wall (e.g., 140 b). Uponcontact of every rib with a wall of the alignment aperture, the gear 104can be brought into the engaged position (FIG. 21). The friction member126 (e.g., O-ring) can inhibit the clutch 134 from rotating prior toalignment of the alignment shaft 110 with the clutch 134 (e.g., prior tocontact of all the ribs with the walls of the alignment aperture 138).In some cases, the friction generated by the friction member 126 can begreater than the friction between the ribs 136 and walls 140. The clutchalignment feature can be configured to work the same way if thealignment shaft 110 is rotated in a clockwise direction. Therefor theadjustments can be made in either a clockwise rotation or a counterclockwise rotation to either enlarge the arc of coverage of thesprinkler, or reduce the arc of coverage.

In another embodiment, a nozzle housing with an arc adjusting shaft thatmoves in an axial direction (e.g., a direction parallel to the length ofthe arc adjusting shaft) to engage or disengage the arc adjusting shaftwith the adjustable arc tab assembly 120 (FIGS. 5-8) may be used in thesprinkler 10. FIGS. 22-24 illustrate an embodiment of a nozzle housing226 with an axially moving disengaging arc adjusting shaft. Asillustrated, the arc adjustment assembly can include an adjustment shaftassembly 300. The adjustment shaft assembly 300 can be configured tointeract with one or more components of the arc adjustment assembly tochange the arc over which the nozzle deposits water during operation ofthe sprinkler. For example, the adjustment shaft assembly 300 can beconfigured to interact with the adjustable arc tab assembly 120. In somecases, the adjustment shaft assembly 300 may include a gear configuredto interact with another gear of the adjustable arc tab assembly 120.

The adjustment shaft assembly 300 can extend through a top portion ofthe nozzle turret 226 and a nozzle base 302 (FIG. 23). The adjustmentshaft assembly 300 can include a shaft portion 310. The shaft portion310 can include an adjustment gear 304. In some embodiments, theadjustment shaft assembly 300 includes a user interface portion 314(e.g., a user interface cap). The user interface portion 314 can bepositioned on (e.g., adjacent to, partially surrounding, attached to,resting on, and/or aligned with) an end of the shaft portion 310opposite the adjustment gear 304. Preferably, at least a portion of theuser interface portion 314 extends through an upper (e.g., downstream)end of the nozzle turret 226. A user of the arc adjustment assembly mayrotate and/or lower the shaft portion 310 via rotation of the userinterface portion 314 (e.g., via use of a tool, hands, or otherwise).For example, the user interface portion 314 may include tool-engagementportion 315 (FIG. 27). The tool-engagement portion 315 can comprise oneor more indentations, protrusions, tactile surfaces, or other structuresconfigured to facilitate engagement of the user interface portion 314with a tool or hand of a user. In some embodiments, an inner wall 355 ofthe nozzle turret 226 includes one or more steps, protrusions, or otherstructures configured to interfere with the interface portion 314 toprovide a stop to movement of the interface portion 314 in the downward(e.g., upstream) direction of FIG. 25.

The adjustment gear 304 can be configured to mesh (in the lower positionillustrated in FIG. 24) and unmesh (in the raised position illustratedin FIG. 23) with the ring gear 112. The adjustment gear 304 can beconfigured to rotate the ring gear 112 in a manner substantially similarto that described earlier except that the adjustment gear 304 moves inan axial direction rather than in a tilting direction as described withrespect to adjusting gear 104.

During operation of the sprinkler, it is desirable that the adjustmentgear 304 disengage (e.g., unmesh) from the ring gear 112 when the useris not adjusting the arc of the sprinkler. As illustrated in FIGS.23-28, the shaft portion 310 of the present application can beconfigured to disengage the adjustment gear 304 from the ring gear 112by moving the adjustment gear 304 in an axial direction from the ringgear 112. For example, the shaft portion 310 can be configured to movethe adjustment gear 304 in a direction that is parallel to an axis ofrotation of the ring gear 112. In some embodiments, the adjustment gear304 is biased away from the ring gear 112. For example, a biasing member322 (e.g., a spring, a wire, or some other flexible or resilientstructure) and a spring support 321 can surround the adjustment shaftand contact a portion of the shaft portion 310 to push the adjustmentgear 304 away from the ring gear 112. In some embodiments, the biasingmember 322 and/or spring support 321 (e.g., a washer) contact one ormore protrusions (e.g., the cam followers 340, discussed below),flanges, or other portions of the shaft portion 310 to apply a biasingforce on the shaft portion 310 away from the engaged positionillustrated in FIGS. 24 and 30. In some embodiments, the spring support321 contacts the user interface portion 314 when the adjustment gear 304is in the retracted configuration, as illustrated in FIG. 23.

The adjustment gear 304 gear can be completely unmeshed from the ringgear 112 when in the disengaged position (FIG. 23). In some embodiments,the user can move the adjustment gear 304 toward ring gear 112 to theengaged position in a manner which overcomes the biasing force of thebiasing member 122 without having to press down on the user interfaceportion 314 of the adjustment shaft assembly 300. For example, usermanipulation (e.g., rotation) of the interface portion 314 can force theshaft portion 310 in an axial direction along the centerline of theshaft portion 310 to mesh the adjusting gear 304 with the ring gear 112,as will be described in more detail below.

In some embodiments, the arc adjustment assembly of the presentapplication includes an adjustment clutch 324. As illustrated in FIGS.25 through 28, the shaft portion 310 can include a clutch engagementportion 334. The clutch engagement portion 334 can be positioned alongthe length of the shaft portion 310 between the gear 304 and the userinterface portion 314. In some embodiments, the clutch engagementportion 334 includes one or more grooves 336. For example, the clutchengagement portion 334 can include three grooves 336. Other numbers ofgrooves are possible (e.g., one groove, two grooves, four grooves, fivegrooves, eight grooves, etc.).

The clutch 324 may include one or more internal ribs 338 configured tomate with the clutch engagement portion 334 of the shaft portion 310.The internal ribs 338 can include a plurality of ribs configured to matewith the individual grooves 336. In some embodiments, the grooves 336are permitted to slide along the ribs 338 but are not permitted to passout from the respective ribs 338. Engagement between the grooves 336 andribs 338 can rotationally lock the shaft portion 310 to the clutch 324while permitting axial movement of the shaft portion 310 with respect tothe clutch 324.

The adjustment clutch 324 can be mounted in the nozzle turret 226 orelsewhere within the sprinkler. In some embodiments, the adjustmentclutch 324 surrounds a portion of the shaft portion 310. The adjustmentclutch 324 can be configured to rotate within the nozzle turret 226. Insome embodiments, as illustrated in FIG. 23, an O-ring 326 or other highfriction device is mounted on the adjustment clutch 324 or otherwisemounted in the nozzle turret 226. The O-ring 326 can increase thefriction between the adjustment clutch 324 and some portion of thenozzle turret 226. In some cases, an axis of rotation of the adjustmentclutch 324 is fixed with respect to the axis of rotation of one or bothof the nozzle turret 226 and the ring gear 112. The adjustment clutch324 and/or O-ring 326 can be configured to resist rotation of the shaftportion 310 and adjustment gear 304. In some cases, the adjustmentclutch 324 rotates with the adjusting shaft 310 when the shaft portion310 has transitioned to the engaged position.

As illustrated in FIGS. 25 through 28, the shaft portion 310 can includeone or more cam followers 340. The one or more cam followers 340 can bepositioned along the length of the shaft portion 310 between the gear304 and the user interface portion 314. For example, the alignmentportion 334 can include two cam followers 340. Other numbers of camfollowers are possible (e.g., one, three, four cam followers, etc.). Thecam followers 340 can be, for example, protrusions extending outwardfrom the shaft portion 310.

The user interface portion 314 may include one or more internal ramps orcams 342 configured to interact with the cam followers 340 of the shaftportion 310. The cam(s) 342 can extend in a vertical direction (e.g.,parallel to the length of the shaft portion 310) between a top wall 343and a bottom edge 345. In some embodiments, the internal cams 342 areconfigured to force the cam followers 340, and the gear 304 toward thering gear 112 when a user turns the user interface portion 314. Thedistance between the top wall 343 and bottom edge 345, as measuredparallel to the length of the adjustment shaft portion 310, can definethe maximum distance the adjusting gear 304 travels between the unmeshed(FIG. 29) and meshed (FIG. 30) positions with respect to the ring gear112. In some embodiments, the gear 304 will move (e.g., vertically) intoalignment with the ring gear 112 when the operator turns the interfaceportion 314. The vertical movement of the gear 304 can be realizedwithout vertical movement of the user interface portion 314, therebyallowing a user to transition the gear 304 between the unmeshed andmeshed positions without applying a vertical or axial force on the userinterface portion 314. Previously, disengaging functionality wasaccomplished using a spring which biased the entire adjustment shaftassembly (e.g., including the user interface portion, adjustment gear,and shaft portion) upward and out of engagement with the ring gear 112.An example of such structure is recited in U.S. Pat. No. 8,955,768(e.g., in column 7, lines 17-33). This arrangement works well in manycases, however, the operator must first press the adjusting gear againstthe spring to get the adjusting gear in position before they turn thetool. Once the gear is pressed down, the user must keep downwardpressure on the tool while turning the adjusting gear to keep engagedwith the ring gear. Additionally, axial displacement of the userinterface portion can create a cavity within the sprinkler above theuser interface. Due to the proximity of this cavity to the ground inmany applications, dirt, water, and other debris/pollutants can enterthe cavity and inhibit or prevent return of the adjustment gear to adisengaged or unmeshed position. By allowing for axial movement of thegear 304 without axial movement of the user interface portion 314, theadjustment shaft assembly 300 of the present disclosure can reduce oreliminate the formation of a cavity in the top of the nozzle turret 226.As such, the likelihood of gear 304 being “stuck” in the meshed positionis reduced or eliminated. In some instances, the clutch 324 may inhibitor prevent the adjusting gear 304 from rotating more than is necessaryto align the gear 304 and ring gear 112 when the adjustment shaft ismoving in an axial direction. In some instances, the clutch 324 mayinhibit or prevent the adjusting gear 304 from rotating when theadjustment shaft is moving in an axial direction.

In some embodiments, the user interface portion 314 may include at leastone internal drive wall 344. For example, the user interface portion 314may include two drive walls 344. In some embodiments the cam followers340 may include at least one side wall 346. In some embodiments, eachcam follower may include two side walls 346. In some embodiments,rotational contact of the cam followers 340 (e.g., the drive walls 344)and the side walls 346 may cause the shaft portion 310 to rotate. Insome embodiments, when a user turns the user interface portion 314, theadjustment gear 304 is first driven into engagement with the ring gear112 via interaction between the cam(s) 342 and cam follower(s) 340. Forexample, the frictional resistance between the cam(s) 342 and camfollower(s) 340 can be less than the frictional resistance between theadjustment clutch 324 (e.g., the O-ring 346 of the adjustment clutch324) and a wall of the nozzle housing 326, thereby resulting in axialmovement of the shaft portion 310 and gear 304 prior to rotation of theshaft portion 310 and gear 304. Continued turning of the user interfaceportion 314 by the user will cause the clutch 324 and the adjustingshaft 310 to rotate with the user interface portion 314 and cause thegear 304 to turn the ring gear 112 to cause the arc adjustment tabassembly 120 to change position.

In some embodiments, a cap or bearing 350 may be pressed into the nozzlehousing 226 that surrounds and supports a bearing surface 352 of theuser interface portion 314. The cap/bearing 350 can engage a flange orother portion of the user interface portion 314 to reduce or eliminatethe chance of inadvertent removal of the user interface portion 314 fromthe nozzle turret 226. In some embodiments, the cap/bearing 350 engageswith the interface portion 314 to inhibit or prevent motion of the userinterface portion 314 parallel to the longitudinal axis of the shaftportion 310. For example, the cap/bearing 350 can engage with a grooveon an outer surface of the user interface portion 314. In someembodiments, one or more protrusions on the outer surface of the userinterface portion 314 interact with the cap/bearing 350 to inhibit orprevent movement of the user interface portion 314 parallel to thelongitudinal axis of the adjustable shaft portion 310.

While we have described and illustrated in detail embodiments of asprinkler with a reversing gear drive with a disengaging top accessiblearc adjusting shaft, it should be understood that our inventions can bemodified in both arrangement and detail. For example, the sprinkler 10could be modified to a simplified shrub configuration without theretraction spring and a shorter outer body so the riser assembly doesnot extend or retract in the outer housing. The planetary gear drive 12could be a reversing spline gearbox as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.8,955,768. Further, the shaft portion 310 described herein may includeribs instead of or in addition to the grooves 336 discussed. These ribsand/or grooves can be configured to engage with the ribs 338 and/orgrooves in the adjustment clutch 324 to rotationally lock the shaftportion 310 to the adjustment clutch 324. Therefore the protectionafforded our inventions should only be limited in accordance with thefollowing claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An irrigation sprinkler comprising: a turbine; anozzle; a gear drive; a reversing mechanism operatively connected to thegear drive and rotatably coupling the turbine and the nozzle, thereversing mechanism including a shift arm and a first adjustment gearhaving an axis of rotation; a first stop tab connected to the firstadjustment gear; a second adjustment gear configured to selectively meshwith and unmesh from the first adjustment gear; a user interface capconfigured to interface with a tool or with a hand of a user, the userinterface cap having: a cam wall extending between a top cam wall endand a bottom cam wall end; and a driving wall connected to the cam wall;and an adjustment shaft connected to the second adjustment gear andpositioned at least partially within the user interface cap, theadjustment shaft having: a longitudinal axis; and at least oneprotrusion extending from the adjustment shaft in a directionperpendicular to the longitudinal axis; wherein: the cam wall isconfigured to drive the at least one protrusion in a direction parallelto the longitudinal axis of the adjustment shaft when the user interfacecap is rotated; and the user interface cap is configured to transitionthe second adjustment gear between a meshed position and an unmeshedposition with respect to the first adjustment gear without requiringapplication of force onto or movement of the user interface cap in adirection parallel to the longitudinal axis of the adjustment shaft. 2.The irrigation sprinkler of claim 1, comprising a biasing memberconfigured to bias the adjustment shaft to the unmeshed position.
 3. Theirrigation sprinkler of claim 2, wherein the biasing member is a springthat surrounds at least a portion of the adjustment shaft.
 4. Theirrigation sprinkler of claim 1, wherein the user interface capcomprises two cam walls and two driving walls, each of the two drivingwalls connected to both of the two cam walls.
 5. The irrigationsprinkler of claim 1, wherein the driving wall is configured to preventrotation of the user interface cap with respect to the adjustment shaftupon contacting the at least one protrusion.
 6. The irrigation sprinklerof claim 1, comprising an adjustment clutch configured to engage with aportion of one or both of the adjustment shaft and the second adjustmentgear.
 7. The irrigation sprinkler of claim 6, wherein the adjustmentshaft comprises at least one external groove or rib, wherein theadjustment clutch includes at least one internal rib or groove, andwherein the external groove or rib of the adjustment shaft is configuredto mate with the internal rib or groove of the adjustment clutch.
 8. Theirrigation sprinkler of claim 6, wherein the adjustment clutch isrotationally locked with the adjustment shaft and wherein the adjustmentshaft is configured to move in a direction parallel to the longitudinalaxis of the adjustment shaft with respect to the adjustment clutch. 9.The irrigation sprinkler of claim 6, wherein the adjustment clutch isconfigured to frictionally engage with an internal wall of theirrigation sprinkler with a first rotational coefficient of friction,wherein the user interface cap is configured to frictionally engage withthe adjustment shaft with a second rotational coefficient of frictionwhen the at least one protrusion of the adjustment shaft is not incontact with the driving wall, and wherein the first coefficient offriction is greater than the second coefficient of friction.
 10. Anirrigation sprinkler comprising: a turbine; a nozzle; a gear drive; areversing mechanism operatively connected to the gear drive androtatably coupling the turbine and the nozzle, the reversing mechanismincluding a shift arm and a first adjustment gear having an axis ofrotation; a first stop tab connected to the first adjustment gear; asecond adjustment gear configured to selectively mesh with and unmeshfrom the first adjustment gear; a user interface cap configured tointerface with a tool or with a hand of a user; and an adjustment shaftconnected to the second adjustment gear and positioned at leastpartially within the user interface cap, the adjustment shaft having alongitudinal axis; wherein: the user interface cap is configured todrive the adjustment shaft in a direction parallel to the longitudinalaxis of the adjustment shaft between an unmeshed position and a meshedposition with respect to the second adjustment gear; and the adjustmentshaft is configured to move with respect to the user interface cap in adirection parallel to the longitudinal axis of the adjustment shaft asthe adjustment shaft transitions between the meshed and unmeshedpositions.
 11. The irrigation sprinkler of claim 10, comprising abearing configured to fix the user interface cap with respect to thenozzle in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of theadjustment shaft.
 12. The irrigation sprinkler of claim 10, comprising aspring surrounding at least a portion of the adjustment shaft andconfigured to bias the adjustment shaft toward the user interface cap.13. The irrigation sprinkler of claim 10, wherein the adjustment shaftis configured to remain in the unmeshed position in the absence of useror tool interaction with the user interface cap.
 14. An irrigationsprinkler comprising: a turbine; a nozzle; a gear drive; a reversingmechanism operatively connected to the gear drive and rotatably couplingthe turbine and the nozzle, the reversing mechanism including a shiftarm and a first adjustment gear having an axis of rotation; a first stoptab connected to the first adjustment gear; a second adjustment gearconfigured to selectively mesh with and unmesh from the first adjustmentgear; a user interface cap configured to interface with a tool or with ahand of a user; an adjustment shaft connected to the second adjustmentgear and positioned at least partially within the user interface cap,the adjustment shaft having a longitudinal axis; wherein: the userinterface cap is fixed in position in a direction parallel to thelongitudinal axis of the adjustment shaft; and the user interface cap isconfigured to move the adjustment shaft in a direction parallel to thelongitudinal axis of the adjustment shaft in response to rotationalforce upon the user interface cap in a direction of rotation around thelongitudinal axis of the adjustment shaft.
 15. The irrigation sprinklerof claim 14, comprising a nozzle turret, wherein at least a portion ofthe user interface cap extends through a downstream end of the nozzleturret.
 16. The irrigation sprinkler of claim 14, wherein the userinterface cap includes a cam surface and the adjustment shaft includes acam follower, wherein the cam surface is configured to drive the camfollower in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of theadjustment shaft in response to rotation of the user interface cap.